Building wall structure



July 30, 1968 w. TISCHUK 3,394,519

BUILDING WALL STRUCTURE Filed June 5, 1966 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 E x ,I

5a f Q .45

//0 L INVENTOR. WALTER 775CHUA I /QL AQ" July 30. 1968 w. TISCHUK3,394,519

BUILDING WALL STRUCTURE Filed June 8, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 /54INVENTOR.

July 30, 1968 w. TISCHUK 3,394,519

BUILDING WALL STRUCTURE Filed June 8-, 1966 a Sheets-Sheet s' INVENTOR.#444 TH? T/scwu/r United States Patent 3,394,519 BUILDING WALL STRUCTUREWalter Tischuk, Richmond, Ind., assignor to H. H.

Robertson Company, Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania FiledJune 8, 1966, Ser. No. 556,064 12 Claims. (Cl. 52-478) ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE In a building wall structure having load supporting elementsof the type presenting legs extending parallel with the plane of thewall structure, subgirt members engaged with the legs and clips rigidlysecuring the subgirt members to the load supporting elements. The clipssnap over the subgirt member in saddle-like fashion and project inboardof the legs into interfitted engagement therewith. The clip isconstructed to prevent unintended disengagement thereof from the subgirtmember; to prevent movement of the clip and the subgirt membertransversely of the load support element; and to prevent sliding of theclip and the subgirt member lengthwise along the load supportingelement.

This invention relates to building wall structures of the type havingspaced subgirt members secured to load supporting elements, and moreparticularly to improved means for securing said subgirt members to saidload supporting elements.

Many prior art wall structures include vertically extending loadsupporting elements which project outwardly from and which are securedto the skeletal framework of a building. Horizontal subgirt members aresecured to the load supporting elements. Thereafter, an exposed or outermetal sheath is secured to the subgirt members to complete the wallstructure.

When erecting the subgirt members, it has heretofore been necessary topreposition each subgirt member and then drill holes through both thesubgirt member and the load supporting elements engaged therewith.Thereafter, fasteners, such as self-tapping screws, were used to securethe subgirt members to the load supporting elements.

Such insulated metal wall structures include an inner metal sheathformed from liner sheets which are secured in side-by-side relation tothe skeletal framework of the building. The liner sheets may, forexample, have outwardly projecting side walls terminating inlaterallyextended first and second flanges. The configuration of theliner sheets is such that when the side Walls of adjacent liner sheetsare abutted, a first flange of one liner sheet will overlap the secondflange of the adjacent liner sheet. The abutted side walls andoverlapped first and second flanges provide strong load supportingelements to which the subgirt members may be secured. Such constructionsare shown in copending US. patent application Ser. No. 299,695, filedAug. 5, 1963, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention andnow US. Patent No. 3,300,934.

For increased strength, the first and second flanges are deformed toprovide interfitting lengthwise ribs and grooves. The configuration ofthe deformed flanges is such that a pocket is provided between theflanges. A bead of sealant material is introduced into the pocket. Whenthe flanges are drawn together, the sealant material is compressed andprovides an effective vapor barrier.

Objects Accordingly, as an overall object, the present inventionprovides improved means for securing subgirt members to load supportingelements.

3,394,519 Patented July 30, 1968 Another object of the invention is toprovide a fastening means which rigidly secures subgirt members to loadsupporting elements without distorting the load supporting elements.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved wall structureincorporating the fastening means of the invention, whereby the wallstructure, if desired, may be readily dismantled without damage to anyof the wall components.

Still another object of the invention is to provide unitary fasteningmeans for securing subgirt members to load supporting elements, as wellas for securing outer facing sheets to the subgirt members.

A further object of the invention is to provide a double sheath wallstructure whose components are secured together without the aid ofconventional threaded fasteners.

Another object of the invention is to provide fastening means which iscapable of acting as an intermediate support for subgirt members.

Statement of invention The fastening means of the invention isparticularly adapted for use in securing subgirt members to load supporting elements of the type having a generally L-shaped configuration.Examples of such load supporting elements are Z bars, channels, anglesand the like. The fastening means of the invention is particularlyadapted for use in an insulated metal wall structure of the type havingan inner metal sheath including the above-described overlapped first andsecond flanges; subgirt members secured to the overlapped flanges by thefastening means of the invention; batts of thermal insulation overlyingthe inner metal sheath; and an outer decorative metal sheath secured tothe subgirt members. The load supporting elements have an L-shapedconfiguration including a first leg projecting from a plane of the wallstructure and a second leg extending laterally of the outer edge of thefirst leg. The subgirt members are vertically spaced and engaged withthe second legs of the load supporting elements.

In accordance with the present invention, the fastening means comprise asaddle clip preferably formed from spring steel. The saddle clipincludes a U-shaped body having a central web and spaced side walls. Abody segment projects from each of the side walls and is positioned tofrictionally engage an inboard face of a second leg of the loadsupporting element. The Saddle clip includes first means for connectingthe saddle clip to the subgirt member to prevent disengagement therefromand second and third means for connecting the saddle clip to the secondleg whereby the subgirt member is (l) prevented from moving transverselyof the load supporting element, and (2) prevented from slidinglengthwise along the load supporting element.

The saddle clip of the invention is adapted to be engaged over a subgirtmember in saddle-like fashion and positioned adjacent to that edge of asecond leg remote from a first leg. In this position, the body segmentsproject inboard of the second leg and are frictionally engagedtherewith. The various connecting means, enumerated above, rigidlyconnect each saddle clip to the subgirt member and to the second leg aswell as rigidly connecting the subgirt member to the load supportingelement.

In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention, thesaddle clip is provided with a flange-like element which adapts thesaddle clip for connection to interengageable facing sheets of an outerdecorative metal sheath. That is to say, the facing sheets engage theflangelike element and are thereby connected to the subgirt member. As aresult of this arrangement, a double sheath wall structure is providedwhose components are secured together without the aid of conventionalfasteners.

Further in accordance with the present invention, the saddle clip may beconnected to a subgirt member at an intermediate location thereon, thatis, between a pair of adjacent load supporting elements. The saddle clipextends inwardly into engagement with the inner metal sheath and furtherrigidifies the subgirt member by providing an intermediate support.Accordingly, where relatively large spans are encountered between theload supporting elements, the saddle clips of the invention provideintermediate support which prevents undue deflection of the subgirtmembers.

The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description by reference tothe accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary front view of a building wall structure havingvertical load supporting elements and horizontal subgirt elementssecured to said load supporting elements by means of a plurality ofsaddle clips of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view illustrating a preferred embodiment of thepresent saddle clip;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken transversely through a loadsupporting element and illustrating the installation of a saddle clip ofthe invention;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary isometric view illustrating the manner by whichthe present saddle clip connects a subgirt member to a vertical loadsupporting element;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken transversely through the wallstructure of FIG. 4 and incorporating an outer metal sheath;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIVI of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VII-VII of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII of FIG.1;

FIG. 9 is an isometric view illustrating a further alternativeembodiment of the present saddle clip;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view, similar to FIG. 5, ilustrating thesaddle clip of FIG. 12 installed in a wall structure;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XIXI of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an isometric view illustrating an alternative embodiment ofthe present saddle clip;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary isometric view, similar to FIG. 4, illustratingthe saddle clip of FIG. 12 installed in a wall structure;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a wall structureincorporating the saddle clip of FIG. 12 and including an outer metalsheath;

FIG. 15 is an isometric view illustrating a further alternativeembodiment of the present clip member;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view, similar to FIG. 5, ilustrating thesaddle clip of FIG. 15 installed in a wall structure;

FIG. 17 is an isometric view illustrating a further alternativeembodiment of the present saddle clip; and

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view, similar to FIG. 5, illustrating thesaddle clip of FIG. 17 installed in a wall structure.

General description Referring now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a wallstructure 20 of which only an inner metal sheath 22 and a plurality ofsubgirt members 24 are shown. The inner metal sheath 22 comprises aplurality of liner sheets 26 which are secured in side-by-side relationto a skeletal framework 28 of a building. The skeletal framework 28, inthis instance, includes columns 30 and girt members 32. The liner sheets26 provide a plurality of vertical load supporting elements 34 to whichthe subgirt members 24 are secured by fastening means 36 of theinvention. Additional ones of the fastening means, indicated here by 36,may be provided on the subgirt members 24 at intermediate locationsbetween adjacent pairs of the vertical load supporting elements 34. Theintermediate fastening means 36' are used whenever there is a relativelylarge spacing between adjacent pairs of the vertical load supportingelements 34 and serve to further rigidify the subgirt members 24relative to the inner metal sheath 22.

Liner sheets 26 As can best be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, each of the linersheets 26 is generally U-shaped and includes a flat rectangular centralweb 38 having perpendicular side walls 40, 42 formed along the oppositesides thereof. A first longitudinal flange 44 is provided along theouter edge of the side wall 40 and extends laterally from the side wall40 toward the side wall 42 (of the same liner sheet 26, not seen in FIG.3). A second longitudinal flange 46 is provided along the outer edge ofthe side wall 42 and extends laterally from the side wall 42 away fromthe central web 38. The overall arrangement is such that when the sheetsare erected in side-by-side relation, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, theside walls 40, 42 of adjacent liner sheets 26 will be abutted and thesecond longitudinal flange 46 of one liner sheet 26 will overlap thefirst longitudinal flange 44 of an adjacent liner sheet 26. The abuttedside walls 40, 42 and the overlapping longitudinal flanges 44, 46comprise the aforementioned vertical load supporting elements 34 towhich the subgirt members 24 are secured.

Referring now in particular to FIG. 3, it will be seen that the secondlongitudinal flange 46 is deformed to provide a generally V-shapedgroove or recess 48. An inner recess 50 is provided between the recess48 and the side wall 42, which receives a head 52 of sealant material.The first longitudinal flange 44 is also deformed into a generallyU-shaped configuration to provide a sealant engaging rib 54. When theflanges 44, 46 are drawn together in a manner to be described, thesealant engaging rib 54 is embedded in and compresses the sealantmaterial 52 to provide an effective weather seal. The first longitudinalflange 44 has a rib-like configuration and provides a concealed recess56 and an inboard surface 58.

Accordingly, each of the load supporting elements 34 has an L-shapedconfiguration including a first leg 60, consisting of the abutted sidewalls 40, 42, which projects outwardly from a plane of the skeletalframework 28; and a second leg 62, consisting of the overlapped firstand second longitudinal flanges 44, 46, which extends laterally of theouter edge of the first leg 60. Liner sheets 26 are described andclaimed in copending application Ser. No. 425,517, filed Jan. 14, 1965,and assigned to the assignee of the present invention and now U.S.Patent No. 3,324,617.

Subgirt members 24 The fastening means 36 of the invention may be usedto secure subgirt members of various configurations to the loadsupporting elements 34. A particular one of these subgirt members 24,which is best illustrated in FIG. 4, comprises a channel-shaped body 64including a pair of opposed inturned lips 66. The channel-shaped body 64and the inturned lips 66 cooperate to provide an elongated channel 68which is adapted to receive clip members for connecting an outer facingsheath.

Fastening means 36 Referring now to FIGS. 2 to 7, and in particular toFIG. 2, the fastening means 36 of the invention comprises a saddle clip70, preferably formed from spring steel, including a central web 74 andspaced side walls 76 projecting from the opposite ends of central web74. As best shown in FIG. 4, the saddle clip 70 is adapted to engage asubgirt member 24 in saddle-like fashion with the central web 74engaging the inturned lips 66 and with the side walls 76 projectingtoward the liner sheet 26. The saddle clip 70 further includes bodysegments 78, formed integrally with the side wall 76, which projectforwardly of the central web 74 in a common direction. The body segments78 have corresponding edges 80 disposed generally parallel with andspaced from the plane of a lower face 82 of the central web 74. Each ofthe side walls 76 and the body segment 78 integral therewith have acommon inner edge 84 which terminates, in the region of the bodysegments 78, in an arcuate edge 86. The overall configuration of thesaddle clip 70 is such that once the saddle clip is installed on asubgirt member, as shown in FIG. 4, the body segments 78 will projectinboard of the second leg 62 with the corresponding edges 80 engagedwith the inboard surface 58. Furthermore, the common inner edges 84 willengage the exposed surface of the rectangular web 38, thereby providingfirm line contact between the saddle clip 70 and the liner sheet 26. Thearcuate edges 86 permit the body segments 78 to be introduced betweenthe second leg 62 and the rectangular web 38 of the liner sheet, in themanner shown in FIG. 3.

To prevent disengagement of the saddle clip 70 from the subgirt 24, thesaddle clip 70 is provided with a plurality of tangs 88 comprisinginwardly bent portions of the side wall 76. The tangs 88 have pointedends 90 which are spaced from the lower face 82 of the central web 74and which are positioned to engage an inboard face 92 of the subgirtmember 24. As best shown in FIG. 6, the subgirt member 24 is clampedbetween the tangs 88 and the central web 74, thereby securing the saddleclip 70 to the subgirt member 24 to prevent disengagement therefrom.Preferably the pointed ends 90 of the tangs 88 will be embedded in theinboard face 92 to prevent the saddle clip 70 from sliding along thelength of the subgirt member 24.

Initially, each saddle clip 70 is positioned in the manner shown in FIG.3, that is, with the central web 74 disposed over the subgirt member 24and with the side walls 76 positioned on opposite sides of the subgirtmember 24. Inasmuch as the saddle clip 70 is formed from spring steel,the tangs 88 will readily spread apart as they pass over the subgirtmember 24. To complete the installation of the saddle clip 70, a hammer,such as illustrated in dash-dot outline at 94, may be used to strike thecentral web 74, thereby displacing the saddle clip 70 toward the linersheet 26 into the position shown in FIG. 5. When the central web 74engages the subgirt member 24, the tangs 88 will move inwardly such thatthe pointed ends 90 will be embedded in the inboard face 92 of thesubgirt member 24.

Each of the body segments 78 is provided with a tongue 96 formedintegrally therewith and projecting above one end of the edge 80. Asbest shown in FIG. 5, the tongues 96 are engaged in the concealed recess56 and effectively clamp the saddle clip 70 and the subgirt member 24 tothe load supporting element 34. The tongues 96 are maintained engaged inthe concealed recess 56 by engagement of the common inner edges 84 withthe rectangular web 38 of the liner sheet 26.

The saddle clip 70 may be provided with additional tangs 98 comprisingportions of the body segments 78 which are bent out of the plane of thebody segments 78 and which have pointed ends 100 projecting above aplane connecting the corresponding edges 80. As best shown in FIGS. 5, 6and 7, the corresponding edges 80 will engage the inboard face 58 of thesecond leg 62 while, simultaneously, the pointed ends 100 of the tangs98 will be embedded in the inboard surface 58. Accordingly, the tangs 98prevent the saddle clip 70 and, hence, the subgirt member 24, fromsliding down or parallel with the load supporting element 34.

When the saddle clip 70 is installed in the manner illustrated in FIG.5, it should be apparent that the first and second longitudinal flanges44, 46 are clamped together between the corresponding edges 80 of thebody segments 78 and the subgirt member 24. At this time, the sealantengaging rib 54 is forced into engagement with and compresses thesealant material 52 to provide an effective weather barrier. It isimportant to note that the first and second longitudinal flanges 44, 46are not deformed when they are clamped together between the bodysegments 78 and the subgirt 24. Consequently, the saddle clip 70provides a convenient means by which the subgirt member 24 may besecured to the load supporting element 34 while simultaneouslyaccomplishing a clamping of the flanges 44, 46 to provide the necessaryseal therebetween.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 8, additional ones of the saddle clips 70,comprising the aforementioned intermediate fastening means 36, may beinstalled on the subgirt member 24 at an intermediate location between apair of adjacent load supporting elements 34. As can be seen in FIG. 8,the subgirt member 24 is clamped between the tangs 88 and the centralweb 74 of the saddle clip 70. The common inner edges 84 provide spacedline contact between the saddle clip 70 and the rectangular web 38 ofthe liner sheets 26. Consequently, the intermediate fastening means 36'further rigidifies the subgirt member 24 with respect to the linersheets 26.

While the saddle clips 70 firmly and rigidly secure the subgirt members24 to the load supporting elements 34, nevertheless, the saddle clipsmay be easily and rapidly removed in the event the wall structure 20 isto be dismantled. Futhermore, no damage, whatsoever, occurs to thesubgirt members 24 or the load supporting elements 34 when the saddleclips are installed or removed. Accordingly, the present inventionprovides a fastening means by which subgirt members may be rapidlysecured to load supporting elements and which permits dismantling of thewall structure without damage to any of the wall components.

Outer metal sheath Referring again to FIG. 5, the wall structure 20 iscompleted by providing batts of thermal insulation 102 and an outermetal sheath 104 comprising a plurality of interengageable facing sheets106 having interfitting laterallyextended, male and female lips 108,.110, respectively.

The facing sheets 106 are erected in side-by-side relation and connectedto the subgirt member 24 by means of clip members 112. This constructionis broadly described and claimed in copending application Ser. No.299,695, filed Aug. 5, 1963, and assigned to the assignee of the presentinvention and now US. Patent No. 3,300,934. However, for the purposes ofthe present invention, it is believed sufficient to state that the clipmember 112 has a first end portion 114 and a second end portion 116. Thefirst end portion 114 is adapted to fit within the elongated channel 68of the subgirt member 24 and, as shown in FIG. 6, includes pointed ends118 which are embedded in the subgirt member 24 to prevent the clipmember 112 from sliding relative to the subgirt member 24. The secondend 116 is adapted to receive the male lip 108 of a facing sheet 106along with a U-shaped sealing strip 120 carried by the male lip 108. Thesecond end 116 is also adapted to enter the female l-ip of an adjacentliner sheet 106, as clearly shown in FIG. 5.

When the clip members 112 are used in combination with the fasteningmeans 36 of the present invention, the inner and outer metal sheaths 22,104 are secured together without the aid of conventional threadedfasteners. Elimination of the drilling operations heretofore required,has reduced the time and labor required to erect an insulated metal wallstructure, such as the wall structure 20.

Fastening means 36-Alternative embodiment Reference is now directed toFIG. 9 wherein there is illustrated an alternative embodiment of thefasten-ing means of the invention comprising a saddle clip 126. Thesaddle clip 126 is similar to the saddle clip 70 and, hence,corresponding numerals will be employed to identify corresponding partsheretofore described. In this embodiment, the body segments 78 areprovided with additional tangs 128 having pointed ends 130. The tangs128 project above the plane connecting the corresponding edges 80 andare bent out of the planes of the body segments 78.

Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 11, the saddle clip 126 is shown securinga subgirt member 24 to the load supporting element 34. In thisembodiment the tangs 128 are engaged in the concealed recess 56 of thesecond leg 62. That is to say, the tangs 128 extend into the concealedrecess 56 with their pointed ends 130 embedded therein. It should beimmediately apparent, that the tangs 128 comprise unitary means forconnecting the saddle clip 126 to the second leg for the purposes of (1)preventing movement of the saddle clip 126 and the subgirt member 24 ina direction transversely of the load supporting element 34 and (2)preventing movement of the saddle clip 126 and the subgirt member 24along or parallel with the second leg 62. The tangs 128 of the saddleclip 126 replace the tongues 96 and the tangs 98 of the saddle clip 70of FIG. 2.

Fastening means-Alternative embodiments Further alternative embodimentsof the fastening means of the invention are illustrated in FIGS. 12 to14, to 16 and 17 to 18. Corresponding numerals will be employed toidentify corresponding parts heretofore described.

Referring now to FIG. 12, there is illustrated a saddle clip 136comprising a U-shaped body 138 including a central web 140 termiating ateach of its ends in an inclined web portion 142 which, in turn, has aside wall 144 extending therefrom. Body segments 146 project forwardlyof the side walls 144 and include corresponding edges 80 which extendgenerally parallel with and spaced from the plane of a lower face 148 ofthe central web 140. Second body segments 150 project rearwardly of theside walls 144. The side walls 144 and the first and second bodysegments 146, 150 have a common inner edge 152 which terminates, in theregion of the first body segments 146, in an arcuate edge v154.

The saddle clip 136 is also provided with a plurality of tangs 88, twoof which comprise inwardly bent portions of the side walls 144 and theremaining two comprising inwardly bent portions of the second bodysegments 150. The plurality of tangs 88 cooperate with the central web140 to rigidly connect the saddle clip 136 to a subgirt member.Additionally, the first body segments 146 are provided with the tongues96 and the tangs 98 whose functions have been heretofore described.

The second body segments 150 include projections 156 which arepositioned between the tangs 88 and the inclined web portion 142. Theprojections 156 extend above the side walls 144 and provide hammeringsurfaces 158 adapted to receive the impact of a hammer employed toinstall the saddle clip 136.

Referring now to FIG. 13, the saddle clip 136 is particularly adaptedfor securing a subgirt member 160 which, itself, is adapted to have anouter facing sheet secured directly thereto by fasteners. The subgirtmember 160 comprises a channel-shaped body 162 including outwardlyextended lips 164. The subgirt member .160 is positioned transverselyacross the load supporting elements 34 with the lips 164 engaged withthe second leg 62, as shown in FIG. 13. The saddle clip 136 is engagedwith the subgirt member 160 in saddle-like fashion as described above,such that the subgirt member 160 is clamped beween the central web 140and the tangs 88. It is to be noted that the projections 156 extendoutwardly of the lips 164 and, therefore, the hammering surfaces 158remain exposed and adapted to receive the impacts of a hammer forinstalling the clip member 136. As described above, the common inneredges 152 are engaged with the exposed face of the rectangular web 38 ofthe facing sheet 126, thereby rigidifyi-ng the connection between thesubgirt member 160 and the load supporting elements 34. Furthermore, thefirst body segments 146 are disposed inboard of the second leg 62whereby the tongues 96 are engaged in the concealed recess 56 of thesecond leg 62 and such that the tangs 98 are engaged with the inboardface 58 of the second leg 62. Again, the saddle clip 136 serves not onlyto secure the subgirt member 162 to the load supporting elements 34 butalso serves to clamp the first and second longitudinal flanges 44, 46 tocompress the head of sealant material 52 and thereby provide thenecessary seal at the joint between adjacent ones of the liner sheets26.

Reference is now directed to FIG. 14 showing a wall structure 170wherein the saddle clips 136 are employed to secure the subgirt membersto the load supporting elements 34 as described above. The wallstructure additionally includes an outer metal sheath 172 whichcomprises a plurality of facing sheets 174 secured to the subgirtmembers 160 by means of fasteners 176. The facing sheets 174 are erectedin side-by-side relation and have overlapping sides 178, which aresecured together at spaced points along their length by additionalfasteners 177. The facing sheets 174 are shown here solely for thepurpose of illustration and that facing sheets of other configurationsmay be secured to the subgirt members 160. It is to be noted that thesaddle clips do not interfere with the erection of the outer metalsheath 172.

A further alternative embodiment of the present fastening means isillustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16. Referring in particular to FIG. 15,there is illustrated a saddle clip 184 whose configuration is similar tothe configuration of the saddle clip 70 of FIG. 2. Accordingly,corresponding numerals will be employed to identify corresponding partsheretofore described. The saddle clip 184 differs from the saddle clip70 of FIG. 2 in that the saddle clip 184 includes fastening means 186for securing an outer metal sheath to the subgirt members of the wallstructure. In this embodiment, the fastening means 186 comprises a flatsegment 188 which is spaced outwardly from the central web 74 andconnected thereto by an intermediate arcuate segment 190. A tang 192 isprovided on each side of the flat segment 188 and extends inwardly inthe direction of the central web 74.

Referring now to FIG. 16, there is shown a wall structure 194 whereinthe saddle clips 184 secure the subgirt members 24 to the loadsupporting elements 34. The flat segment 188 and the intermediatearcuate segment cooperate with the outer face of the subgirt member 24to provide a groove 196 adapted to receive the female lip 110 of facingsheet 106. The tangs 192, of course, embed themselves in the outersurface of the male lip 108 and prevent the facing sheet 106 fromsliding laterally out of engagement with the fastening means 186.

An important feature of the wall structure 194 is the automatic spacingof the facing sheets 106 provided by the saddle clips 184. That is tosay, the saddle clips 184 will be uniformly spaced along subgirt member24 by virtue of their engagement with the substantially uniformly spacedload supporting elements 34. Furthermore, all of the saddle clips 184engaged with a single load supporting element 34 will have the fasteningmeans 186 aligned in a vertical direction. Consequently, when facingsheet 106 is installed on the subgirt members 24 with its female lipengaged with a plurality of vertically aligned fastening means 186, avariation in its width will automatically be taken up in the female lip110 of an adjacent one of the facing sheets 106. For example, let usassume that the width of the facing sheet 106A, in FIG. 16, is equal tothe desired width. In this instance, the female lip 110A is received inand abuts the fastening means 186, while the male lip 108A resideswithin the female lip 110B of an adjacent one of the facing sheets 106B,without undue compression of the U-shaped sealing strip 120A. Now, ifthe sheet 106A is less than the desired width, the male lip 108A willnot extend completely into the female lip 110B. It should be notedhowever that in this instance the U-shaped sealing strip 120A will stillprovide the necessary seal between adjacent liner sheets 106A, 106B. Onthe other hand, if the width of the facing sheet 106A were slightlygreater than the desired width, the male lip 108A would project into thefemale lip 110B for a distance greater than shown. The greaterpenetration of the male lip 108A is permitted by the U-shaped sealingstrip 120A. Accordingly, minor variations in the width of the outerfacing sheets will be automatically taken up and will not be accumulatedfrom facing sheet to facing sheet.

A further alternative embodiment of the present fastening means isillustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18. Referring in particular to FIG. 17,there is illustrated a saddle clip 200 whose configuration is similar tothe saddle clip 70 of FIG. 2. Accordingly, corresponding numerals willbe employed to identify corresponding parts heretofore described. Thesaddle clip 200 differs from the saddle clip 70 of FIG. 2 in that thesaddle clip 200 is provided with fastening means 202 by which outerfacing sheets are secured to the subgirt members of a wall structure.The fastening means 202 comprises a U-shaped flange 204 which is spacedoutwardly from the central Web 74 and which provides a groove 206adapted to receive the male lip of an outer facing sheet. Tangs 208 areprovided at a first remote end 210 of the U-shaped flange 204 and bentupwardly away from the central web 74. The U-shaped flange 204 has asecond end 212 integral with a web portion 214. The U-shaped flange 20'4cooperates with the web portion 214 to provide a second groove 216.

Referring now to FIG. 18, there is illustrated a wall structure 218wherein the saddle clip 200 is shown securing a subgirt member 24 to theload supporting element 34. Adjacent facing sheets 106C and 106D arealso shown connected to the subgirt member 24 by the fastening means 202of the saddle clip 200. Specifically, the male lip 108C of the facingsheet 106C is received in the groove 206 of the fastening means 202. Thefemale lip 110D of the facing sheet 106C is engaged over the U-shapedflange 204. The tangs 208 are embedded in the female lip 110C andprevent the sheet 106C from sliding laterally out of engagement with theU-shaped flange 204.

In this arrangement, the saddle clip 200 is first connected to the malelip 108 of a facing sheet and then the saddle clip 200 is installedabout the subgirt member 24 in the manner described above. However,since the body segments 78 of the saddle clip 200 engage the loadsupporting elements 34, the saddle clip 200 will always be installed atsubstantially an exact position relative to the load supporting elements34. It should be evident, therefore, that even in this embodiment thevariations in the width of the outer facing sheets are automaticallytaken up and therefore prevented from accumulating facing sheet tofacing sheet across the width of the wall structure.

Summary The present invention provides a fastening mean-s by which awall structure may be rapidly and easily erected and which eliminatestime consuming drilling operations heretofore required in prior art wallstructures wherein conventional threaded fasteners were employed.Furthermore, the present fastening means permits the wall structure tobe dismantled, when desired, without damaging any of the wallcomponents. Still further, the present fastening means rigidly securessub-girt members to load supporting elements without distorting the loadsupporting elements. This is particularly important when the loadsupporting elements comprise the above-described overlapped flangesbetween which a seal is provided. The present fastening means representsa savings in the cost of the fastener itself as well as a savings in thecost of erecting the wall structure. It is possible, when employing thefastening means of the present invention, to erect an insulated metalwall structure without the use of conventional threaded fasteners.Finally, although the liner 10 sheet-s have been shown and described ina vertical orientation, they could, instead, be otherwise oriented, forexample, horizontal or inclined from the horizontal.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a building wall structure, the combination comprising:

spaced load supporting elements including first legs projecting from aplane of said wall structure and second legs extending laterally of theouter edges of said first legs;

recesses in the inboard faces of said second legs;

spaced subgirt members engaged with said second legs and extendingtransversely thereacross; and

fastening means for securing said subgirt members to said loadsupporting elements, said fastening means comprising saddle clips eachincluding:

a generally U-shaped body engaged over a said subgirt member insaddle-like fashion and positioned adjacent to that edge of said secondleg remote from said first leg;

body segments projecting from said U-shaped body inboard of said secondleg, said body segments being frictionally engaged with said second leg;

tongues extending from the ends of said body segments into saidrecesses, whereby each of said saddle clips and said subgirt member areprevented from moving transversely of said load supporting elements, and

means carried by said U-shaped body for connecting said saddle clip tosaid subgirt member to prevent unintended disengagement of said saddleclip from said subgirt member.

2. The combination as defined in claim 1 including:

tan-gs disposed on said body segments adjacent to said second legs, saidtangs being embedded in said second legs whereby said saddle clips andsaid subgirt members are prevented from moving along said loadsupporting elements.

3. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein:

said tongues have pointed ends embedded in said second legs, wherebysaid saddle clips and said subgirt members are prevented from movingalong said load supporting elements.

4. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said U-shaped bodyincludes a central Web engaged over an outer face of said subgirt memberand spaced side walls projecting from opposite ends of said central web,said spaced side Walls extending inwardly beyond said subgirt members;and wherein said body segments extend from said side walls towards loadsupporting elements.

5. The combination as defined in claim 4 wherein said connecting meanscomprise at least two tangs, one positioned on each of said side wallsadjacent said central web, each of said tangs comprising inwardly bentportions of said side walls, said tangs projecting toward each other andbeing engaged with an inboard face of said subgirt member whereby saidsubgirt member is clamped between said tangs and said central web.

6. The combination as defined in claim 5 wherein said tangs arepositioned adjacent to that edge of said central web remote from saidbody segments.

7. The combination as defined in claim 4 wherein said connecting meanscomprise:

a plurality of tangs each comprising an inwardly bent portion of saidside walls; each of said side walls carrying two of said tangs, oneadjacent to each edge of said central web;

said tangs projecting beneath said central web and being engaged with aninboard face of said subgirt member whereby said subgirt member isclamped between said plurality of tangs and said central web.

8. The combination as defined in claim 1 including vertically extendingsheets spanning the distance between adjacent ones of said loadsupporting elements and providing vertical surfaces spaced inboard ofsaid second legs; and wherein said U-shaped bodies extend from saidsubgirt members into engagement with said vertical surfaces.

9. The combination as defined in claim 1 including a plurality ofinterengageable facing sheets having interfitting male and female lips,said facing sheets being erected in side-by-side relation with said lipsadjacent said subgirt members; and fastening means formed integrallywith certain of said saddle clips for securing said facing sheets tosaid subgirt members, said fastening means providing grooves adapted toreceive one of said lips.

10. The combination as defined in claim 9 wherein each of said fasteningmeans comprises a flat segment connected to and spaced from saidU-shaped body, said flat segment extending substantially parallel withsaid subgirt members and cooperating therewith to define a groovepositioned to receive a said male lip of said facing sheet.

11. The combination as defined in claim 9 wherein each of said fasteningmeans comprises a generally U-shaped flange spaced outwardly from saidU-shaped body and defining a said groove, said U-shaped flange beingreceived in a said female lip of one facing sheet and receiving a saidmale lip of an adjacent facing sheet.

12. The combination as defined in claim 1 including a plurality ofinteren-gageable facing sheets having interfitting male and female lips,said facing sheets being erected in side-by-side relation with said lipsadjacent said subgirt members; and fastening means connected to saidsubgirt members and including grooves adapted to receive one of saidlips, for securing said facing sheets to said sub-girt members.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,101,552 12/1937 Marsh 287-189352,303,269 11/1942 Goss 52--348 X 2,629,157 2/1953 OHerron 287-189.35 X2,847,099 8/1958 Gruber 52-404 X 3,193,062 7/1965 Pendleton 52-489 X3,300,934 1/1967 Waizenhofer 52- 480 X 3,305,994 2/1967 Amrhein et a1.52488 X 3,324,617 6/1967 Knight et a1. 52-48l FOREIGN PATENTS 220,746 3/1959 Australia.

FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner. ALFRED C. PERHAIM, AssistantExaminer.

